Gastro cases spike among children in NSW

NSW Health is urging parents and carers to keep young children at home if they are sick amid a rise in viral gastro cases. NSW Health’s Acting Manager of Enteric and Zoonotic Diseases, Keira Glasgow, says the warning has been prompted by an increase in gastroenteritis outbreaks at childcare centres across the state and a high number of children aged under five years of age seeking treatment at emergency departments. "Nearly 100 childcare centres reported outbreaks of gastro in August, double the average for this time of year, and at least 820 children and 165 staff have fallen ill," she said. "The number of children seeking treatment for the highly-contagious infection at emergency departments has also risen above usual levels, with 609 children seeking medical attention in the last week." Ms Glasgow said gastro was often spread by direct contact with an infected person. Viral gastroenteritis is usually caused […]

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